PHILLIPS, PHINEAS:

Polish merchant; flourished about 1775. He held the position of chief of the Jewish community at Krotoschin, at that time a fief of the princes of Thurn and Taxis. The reigning prince held Phillips in considerable esteem and entrusted him with personal commissions.

In the course of business Phillips attended the Leipsic fairs and those held in other important Continental cities. In 1775 he extended his travels to England. Once there, he settled for some time in London, where he carried on an extensive business in indigo and gum.

After his death, while on a visit to his native town his son Samuel Phillips established himself in London and became the father of Sir Benjamin Phillips and grandfather of Sir George Faudel-Phillips, Bart., both lord mayors of London.